Toilet cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A toilet cleaning apparatus comprising a toilet brush head; a toilet brush handle ( 2 ) separated from the brush head by a brush shaft ( 1 ); a portion of the brush handle being adapted to contain a cleaning fluid and being in fluid communication with the brush head by a conduit; the handle being adapted to be reciprocally displaced along the conduit between a first position remote from the brush head and a second position proximate to the brush head so urging cleaning fluid from the handle to the brush head; and, a non return valve within the conduit adapted to allow the flow of fluid from handle to brush but to prevent the flow of fluid from brush to handle.

[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet cleaning apparatus.More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates toa toilet brush for dispensing a predetermined volume of cleaning fluid.

[0002] Toilet brushes for cleaning the bowls of toilets are well known.In use, one typically applies a cleaning fluid such as a disinfectant toa toilet bowl and then uses the brush to clean the bowl. However, such aknown brush and associated cleaning method has the drawbacks that userstypically apply too much cleaning fluid to the bowl. This is bothexpensive and harmful to the environment. In some countries the use ofbleach as a toilet cleaner is banned for this reason.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,555 discloses a brush comprising a brush headin fluid communication with a hollow brush handle. In use, a plunger isurged along the interior of the handle so dispensing fluid from thehandle to the bristles of the brush head. With such a brush the cleaningfluid is dispensed accurately to the brush head. However, when usingsuch a brush it is difficult to control the exact amount of cleaningfluid dispensed; the further one presses the plunger the more fluid isdispensed. With such a brush users tend to use too much cleaning fluidwhich is harmful to the sewage destroying bacteria in the sewage system.

[0004] Accordingly, the present invention provides a toilet cleaningapparatus comprising

[0005] a toilet brush head;

[0006] a toilet brush handle separated from the brush head by a brushshaft;

[0007] a portion of the brush handle being adapted to contain a cleaningfluid and being in fluid communication with the brush head by a conduit;

[0008] the handle being adapted to be reciprocally displaced along theconduit between a first position remote from the brush head and a secondposition proximate to the brush head so urging cleaning fluid from thehandle to the brush head; and,

[0009] a non return valve within the conduit adapted to allow the flowof fluid from handle to brush but to prevent the flow of fluid frombrush to handle.

[0010] The apparatus according to the invention has the advantage thatby reciprocally displacing the handle between first and second positionsone can dispense a predetermined amount of cleaning fluid. This preventsover use of cleaning fluid.

[0011] In addition the apparatus according to the invention has theadvantage that the non-return valve prevents the cleaning fluid frombeing sucked back into the handle from the brush so keeping the contentsof the brush handle are kept sterile.

[0012] Preferably, the brush handle comprises an air input valve forintroducing air into the brush handle. Such a valve enables air to beintroduced into the handle after cleaning fluid has been dispensed, soreturning the pressure within the handle to its initial value.

[0013] The portion of the handle adapted to contain the cleaning fluidcan be adapted to be detached from the shaft. The portion, once empty,can be simply detached from the cleaning apparatus and replaced with afull portion.

[0014] The non return valve can comprise a plug positioned within theconduit, the plug being in contact with a seat within the conduit sopreventing the flow of cleaning fluid from the handle to the brush;

[0015] the plug being arranged such that on urging the handle towardsthe first position the increase in fluid pressure within the handleseparates the plug from the seat so urging cleaning fluid to flow fromthe handle to the brush.

[0016] Such a plug provides a simple means of ensuring that the cleaningfluid can flow from the handle to the brush, but not in the oppositedirection.

[0017] The plug can be urged into contact with the seat by means of aresiliently deformable member, preferably a spring.

[0018] The apparatus can further comprise a piston slideable within theconduit in response to the displacement of the handle between first andsecond positions so urging a portion of the cleaning fluid in adispensing volume between the piston and the non return valve throughthe non return valve. The use of a slideable piston defining adispensing volume provides a reliable means for ensuring a definedvolume of cleaning fluid is dispersed by the apparatus each time thehandle is depressed from the second to first positions. The volume ofthe dispensing volume can be arranged to be small, so ensuring that onlya small controlled volume of cleaning fluid is dispensed when the handleis displaced from the first to second positions. This reduces theharmful effect of the bleach to the sewage system.

[0019] The piston can comprise a non return refill valve adapted toprevent flow of cleaning fluid from the dispensing volume to the handlebut to allow flow of cleaning fluid from the handle to the dispensingvolume when the fluid pressure within the handle exceeds the pressurewithin the dispensing volume by a predetermined amount. This allows thedispensing volume to be refilled after each dispensing cycle.

[0020] The piston can comprise a refill conduit extending through thepiston allowing the flow of cleaning fluid from the handle to thedispensing volume; the refill valve preferably comprising a plug locatedwithin the refill conduit urged into contact with the seat by an urgingmeans so preventing the flow of cleaning fluid through the refillconduit whilst they are in contact. The urging means can comprise aresiliently deformable member, preferably a spring.

[0021] The present invention will now be described by way of exampleonly and not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

[0022]FIG. 1 shows in cross section, a toilet cleaning apparatusaccording to the invention with the brush handled urged towards a firstposition;

[0023]FIG. 2 shows in cross section a resiliently deformable valvelocated with the toilet cleaning apparatus; and

[0024]FIG. 3 shows in cross section, a toilet cleaning apparatusaccording to the invention with the brush handle urged towards what wasthe second position.

[0025] Shown in FIG. 1 in cross section are toilet brush shaft (1) andtoilet brush handle (2) portions of toilet cleaning apparatus accordingto the invention. The toilet brush shaft (1) comprises a support wall(3) defining a conduit (4) extending along the shaft (1) between atoilet brush handle (2) and the brush head (not shown). Proximate to thetoilet brush head the conduit (4) splits into a number of sub conduits(5) which lead to apertures (6) opening at a number of points on thebrush head. These ensure that the cleaning fluid which flows along theconduit (4) towards the brush head is spread evenly by the sub conduits(5) over the brush head and onto the bristles. The portion (7) of thebrush shaft (1) comprising the sub conduits (5) is connected to theremainder of the brush shaft (1) by a screw thread (8). This enablessimple removal of this portion (7) should it need to be cleaned orreplaced.

[0026] The brush shaft (1) further comprises a threaded recess (9) forreceiving a screw thread of the brush head. This enables simpleseparation of the brush shaft (1) and the brush head should this benecessary for example to clean or replace the brush head.

[0027] Extending from the opposite end of the brush shaft (1) to thebrush head is the brush handle (2). The brush handle (2) comprises ahollow portion (10) for containing cleaning fluid. The outer wall (11)of this portion (10) is gripped by the user during use. Extendingthrough the wall (11) of this portion (10) of the brush handle (2) is anair input valve (12) which allows the passage of air into the hollowportion (10) when the pressure in this portion (10) drops below airpressure.

[0028] In threaded engagement with the hollow portion (10) is a cylinderportion (13). The inner wall (14) of the cylinder portion (13) defines afurther part (15) of the fluid conduit. This part of the fluid conduitextends between the hollow portion (10) of the brush handle (2) and thefluid conduit (4) defined by the brush shaft (1). By means of thisconduit cleaning fluid can flow from storage in the brush handle (2) tothe brush head.

[0029] The cylinder portion (13) of the brush handle (2) overlaps atoilet brush shaft (1) forming an airtight seal therebetween. Whenapplying pressure to the brush handle (2), the handle (2) can be slidover the brush shaft (1) between the first position proximate to thebrush head and a second position remote from the brush head.

[0030] Located within the conduit is a first seat member (16) comprisinga restriction in the conduit (4) through which the cleaning fluid mustflow. A non return valve (17) comprising a first plug (18) is urged intocontact with the first seat member (16) by a first spring (19) as shown.The first spring (19) urges the first plug (18) into contact with thefirst seat member (16) in a direction away from the brush head. Thisensures that when the cleaning fluid pressure on the brush head side ofthe non return valve (17) exceeds that on the opposite side of the valve(17) the first plug (18) is urged more firmly into contact with thefirst seat (16) so preventing fluid flow away from the brush head.However, when the pressure on the brush head side of the non returnvalve (17) is less than that on the opposite side. The pressure urgesthe first plug (18) away from the first seat (16). When the pressuredifferences are such that the cleaning fluid applies a force on thefirst plug (18) which is greater than the force applied to the firstspring (19), the first plug (18) separates from the first seat (16)allowing the flow of cleaning fluid through the first seat (16) towardsthe brush head.

[0031] Positioned between the first seat (16) and the brush head is avalve made from a resiliently deformable material, preferably silicone.The valve is shown in cross section in FIGS. 2a to 2 c. The valvecomprises a base sealingly attached to a conduit wall surrounding thevalve. Positioned within the base is a deformable crown comprising selfsealing lips. In FIG. 2a the pressure on the two sides of the valve isequal and the sealing lips are inter-engaged preventing the flow offluid through the valve. As the pressure on one side of the valveincreases, the valve starts to deform (FIG. 2b). Eventually the valvedeforms sufficiently for the lips to separate allowing fluid to flowthrough the valve (FIG. 2c). As the pressure equalises the lips re-sealpreventing further fluid flow. This seal prevents fluid “dripping” fromthe conduct on to the brush head if the brush is left standing in avertical position for a long period. The air input valve (12) comprisesan identical valve for allowing the entry of air into the hollow portionof the valve handle.

[0032] Also located within the conduit (4) is a piston (20) whichdefines a dispensing volume (21) within the shaft (1). A flange (22) onthe piston (20) overlaps a flange (23) on the brush handle (2) so thatdisplacement of the brush handle (2) between the first and secondpositions induces a corresponding displacement of the piston (20) withinthe conduit (4). Extending through the piston (20) is a refill conduit(24) enable cleaning fluid to flow from the handle (2) to the piston(20) to the dispensing volume (21). Extending from the refill conduit(24) is a piercing member (25). A piercing member conduit (26) extendsthrough the piercing member (25) as shown. The joint between thepiercing member conduit (26) and the refill conduit (24) defines arefill seat (27). A refill valve (28) comprising a refill plug (29) isurged into contact with the seat (27) by means of a refill spring (30).When the fluid pressure within the dispensing volume (21) exceeds thatin the handle (2) the refill plug (29) is urged further into contactwith the refill seat (27) so preventing flow along the roof of conduit(24). If however, the pressure in the handle (2) exceeds that in thedispensing volume (21) by a sufficient degree to overcome the action ofthe refill spring (30) then the refill plug (29) will separate from therefill seat (27) allowing fluid to flow from the handle (2) into thedispensing volume (21).

[0033] Finally, also positioned within the conduit (4) is a pistonspring (31) which urges the piston (20) away from the brush head. Thefunction of this is described in detail below.

[0034] In use the handle portion (10) containing cleaning fluid isthreadably engaged within the associated cylinder portion (13) of thebrush handle. As the portions (10,13) are threaded together the piercingmember (25) pierces a thin foil cap (not shown) allowing cleaning fluidto flow from the handle portion (10).

[0035] Initially, the cleaning fluid will flow along the piercing memberconduit (26) to the refill valve (28). Assuming the fluid pressure inthe handle portion (2) is greater than that in the dispensing volume(21) the fluid pressure will open the refill valve (28) allowing fluidto flow into the dispensing volume (21) until the fluid pressures in thehandle (2) in the dispensing volume (21) are substantially equal.

[0036] As no force is being applied to the handle (2) the piston spring(31) urges the piston (20) and the handle (2) away from the brush headas shown in FIG. 1.

[0037] In order to dispense cleaning fluid from the handle (2) to thebrush head, the brush head is held stationery and the handle (2) urgedtowards the head. Displacement towards the handle (2) wraps the piston(20) towards the brush head as shown in FIG. 3. This reduces thedispensing volume (21) causing the fluid pressure within the dispensingvolume to rise. Eventually, the pressure within the dispensing volume(21) is sufficient to allow the first plug (18) to separate from thefirst seat (16). This enables the cleaning fluid to flow from thedispensing volume (21) through the diaphragm (32) along the sub conduits(5) and onto the brush head. During this time the refill valve (28)remains closed preventing the flow of cleaning fluid from the handle tothe dispensing volume (21). Hence, as the cleaning fluid flows onto thebrush head the fluid pressure within the dispensing volume (2) drops andeventually the refill valve (28) closes.

[0038] In order to complete the action the handle (2) is then urged tothe second position away from the brush head. This causes acorresponding displacement in the piston (20) so increasing thedispensing volume (21). As both the non return and refill valves (17,28)are closed; this causes closes a drop in pressure in the dispensingvolume (21). Once the pressure in the dispensing volume dropssufficiently for the pressure difference across the refill valve (28) tocause the refill pump (29) to separate from the refill seat (27)allowing cleaning fluid to flow from the handle (2) to the dispensingvolume (21). Once the fluid pressure the dispensing volume (21) issubstantially equal to that in the handle the refill valve (28) closes.

[0039] Finally, since cleaning fluid has passed from the handle (2) tothe dispensing volume (21) the fluid pressure within the handle (2) willhave dropped. Consequently, the air input valve (12) opens allowing airto flow into the handle (2) until the pressure within the handle (2)returns to its initial value so completing the dispensing cycle.

1. A toilet cleaning apparatus comprising a toilet brush head; a toiletbrush handle separated from the brush head by a brush shaft; a portionof the brush handle being adapted to contain a cleaning fluid and beingin fluid communication with the brush head by a conduit; the handlebeing adapted to be reciprocally displaced along the conduit between afirst position remote from the brush head and a second positionproximate to the brush head so urging cleaning fluid from the handle tothe brush head; and, a non return valve within the conduit adapted toallow the flow of fluid from handle to brush but to prevent the flow offluid from brush to handle.
 2. A toilet cleaning apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the brush handle comprises an air input valve forintroducing air into the hollow brush handle.
 3. A toilet cleaningapparatus as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the portion ofthe handle adapted to contain the cleaning fluid is adapted to bedetached from the shaft.
 4. A toilet cleaning apparatus as claimed inany one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the non return valve comprises a plugpositioned within the conduit, the plug being urged into contact with aseat within the conduit so preventing the flow of cleaning fluid fromthe handle to the brush; the plug being arranged such that on urging thehandle towards the first position the increase in fluid pressure withinthe handle separates the plug from the seat so urging the flow ofcleaning fluid from the handle to the brush.
 5. A toilet cleaningapparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plug is urged into contactwith the seat by means of a resiliently deformable member, preferably aspring.
 6. A toilet cleaning apparatus as claimed in either of claims 4or 5 and further comprising a piston slideable within the conduit inresponse to the displacement of the handle between first and secondpositions, so urging a portion of the cleaning fluid in a dispensingvolume between the piston and the non return valve through the nonreturn valve.
 7. A toilet cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 6,wherein the piston comprises a non return refill valve adapted toprevent flow of cleaning fluid from the dispensing volume to the handlebut to allow flow of the cleaning fluid from the handle to thedispensing volume when the fluid within the handle exceeds the pressurewithin the dispensing volume by a predetermined amount.
 8. A toiletcleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the piston comprises arefill conduit extending through the piston allowing the flow ofcleaning fluid from the handle to the dispensing volume; the refillvalve comprising a plug located in the refill conduit urged into contactwith a seat by an urging means so preventing the flow of cleaning fluidthrough the refill conduit whilst they are in contact.
 9. A toiletcleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the urging meanscomprises a resiliently deformable member, preferably a spring.
 10. Atoilet cleaning apparatus substantially as therein before described. 11.A toilet cleaning apparatus substantially as therein before describedwith reference to the drawings.